Orthokine therapy is the name given to a therapeutic method in which the anti-inflammatory (anti-inflammatory) protein interleukin-1 receptor antagonist is extracted from the patient’s blood. This method is based on the knowledge that so-called cytokines are released during inflammatory processes in the body. Of particular importance here is the messenger substance interleukin-1. When this is released, inflammation, pain or – if a joint is affected – cartilage degradation occurs. The antagonist of interleukin-1 is the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. This provides anti-inflammation and pain relief and protects against cartilage degradation.
Indications (areas of application)
- Osteoarthritis (gonarthrosis)
- Lumbargia / dorsalgia (back pain)
The procedure
First, blood is drawn from the patient. This is done with a special syringe. This contains glass beads whose surface has been treated to simulate a wound.
In this way, the blood cells taken are stimulated to produce the protective protein interleukin-1 receptor antagonist.
The blood thus enriched is centrifuged – serum and blood cells are separated – and the serum (autologous blood preparation) is then injected directly into the affected joint in the case of osteoarthritis. In the case of pinched nerves, for example, sciatic nerve, the drug is injected to the nerve root of the nerve causing the pain. In this way, the balance between proinflammatory (inflammatory) and anti-inflammatory (anti-inflammatory) substances is restored. In osteoarthritis therapy, the Orthokine method has been used successfully for years. In the case of back pain, treatment with Orthokin has proven to be very effective and the duration of the effect lasts longer than with conventional cortisone therapy. Furthermore, side effects are much less frequent than with the use of cortisone preparations. Treatment with the body’s own protein works:
- Antiphlogistic (anti-inflammatory).
- Analgesic (analgesic)
- Cartilage protective (cartilage protective)
- Mobility-promoting
- Promoting the decongestion of the nerve root
The goal of any osteoarthritis therapy should be to stop cartilage degradation. This is now possible with the help of the Orthokin method. At the same time, the unpleasant discomfort such as pain and reduced mobility are noticeably reduced.
In the case of back pain, excellent results are also achieved and the pain can be reduced in the long term, sometimes even to the point of freedom from symptoms.